We had been told that Wellington is such a beautiful city with such a cool vibe, and it definitely lived up to the hype! There is so much to do and see, here are a few of our favorite things to do in Wellington New Zealand with kids!
*And be sure to check out our other New Zealand Travel Guides to help as you plan your trip!
6 Fun Things to do in Wellington New Zealand with Kids
Table of Contents
- 1. Ride the Wellington Cable Car
- 2. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens
- 3. See the Colossal Squid at Te Papa Museum
- 4. Explore Downtown
- 5. Have a Picnic on The Waterfront
- 6. Take the Canopy Walkway at Otari-Wilton’s Bush
1. Ride the Wellington Cable Car
When looking for fun things to do in Wellington New Zealand with kids, the Wellington Cable Car is at the top of the list!
If you have a little one that’s into trains, then this will definitely be a highlight. Although, honestly it’s fun for all ages (bonus 5 and under are free)!
The cable car runs about every 5 minutes, so even during peak season you can expect a short wait. The ride itself is less than 5 minutes and takes you to the summit of Mount Victoria.
The short ride is worth it for the views alone, but once you get up to the top of Mount Victoria there is also plenty to do.
At the top you will find the small cable car museum that is free to visit. The Space Place at the Carter Observatory nearby is also worth a visit. Entry is free, however, tickets are required for the planetarium show.
After exploring around the top you can take the cable car back down, but I would highly recommend walking back down the hill through the botanic gardens instead.
2. Stroll through the Botanic Gardens
I will be the first to admit that my kids were not thrilled about the idea of walking around looking at flowers.
However, these Botanic Gardens are unique as they are terraced along the side of the mountain and offer a wide variety of things to do.
The highlight was the fun playground and interactive Treehouse Visitor’s Center, along with the Children’s Discovery Garden.
The kids ended up having a great time! I would highly recommend it for all ages.
Follow the path from the Cable Car museum down the hill to access the gardens. Plan for about 40 minutes to complete the trail.
3. See the Colossal Squid at Te Papa Museum
A few months before our trip, the kids were watching a fascinating National Geographic special about the colossal squid.
When they discovered that the largest colossal squid ever found is on display at Te Papa Museum, a visit to this national museum immediately went on their bucket list.
It was a fascinating way to spend a drizzly morning. The museum is filled with so many great hands-on exhibits and the best part is that it’s FREE!
The museum offers a great outdoor play space, as well as beautiful views across the bay.
4. Explore Downtown
The Botanic Garden trail ends downtown so take advantage and explore around.
Be sure to head over to Cuba Street, an outdoor pedestrian mall that is home to an eclectic mix of cafes, shops, and boutiques.
Cuba Street is considered to be one of the coolest streets in New Zealand. The street is lined with colorful buildings bursting with character and historical architecture. Lambton Quay is the other main shopping area of Wellington.
5. Have a Picnic on The Waterfront
Grab a picnic and let the kids get their energy out at Frank Kitts Park. The iconic lighthouse slide has been a favorite of locals and visitors for years.
Older kids will enjoy the skate ramps and climbing structures further down at Waitangi Park.
Wander around The Waterfront, the stretch along the harbor. There is plenty to do in this area like renting a kayak, paddleboard or paddle boat.
You can also rent a crocodile bike (2-4 seat covered bikes) and ride along the waterfront to Oriental Bay Beach. Oriental Bay is Wellington’s city beach and is a great place to let the kids play in the sand or take a swim.
Stop for some gelato at Gelissimo, and be sure to try the Feijoa flavor. You can also go rock climbing, admire the various art installations, or jump into the water from one of the many diving platforms.
If you happen to be there on a Saturday, there is an underground market along the waterfront with lots of crafts and souvenirs. You can also take a short walk and visit the Wellington Museum, another free museum in the area.
6. Take the Canopy Walkway at Otari-Wilton’s Bush
I know, I know, our kids weren’t too thrilled about another botanic garden either. However, what sold my kids on the Otari-Wilton’s Bush was the canopy walkway high above the trees.
They loved getting a birds-eye view of the forest. The bush walk is located only a few miles outside of the city but feels like a completely different world. It is definitely worth a quick stop!
Other fun family friendly things to do in Wellington New Zealand:
We only had one day in Wellington. While we managed to pack in as much as possible, here are a few more things that I wish we had time to do:
- Weta Workshop: For all you Lord of the Ring fans, take a behind the scenes tour to learn about non-digital effects and prop production for movies including LOTR and many more!
- Brooklyn Wind Turbine Hike: Check out a wind turbine up close while enjoying amazing views of the city and bay.
- Dry Creek Quarry: Located about 30 minutes north of Wellington in Lower Hutt. This is the setting for Helm’s Deep (the battle scene for The Two Towers) and the largest most detailed set of the LOTR series. The waterfall track is a fun and wet hike as you cross over several streams (water shoes recommended). The trail takes about 1 hour round trip. Do not attempt this hike if there has been heavy rainfall.
- Wellington Zoo: Always a great place for kids to explore! Check out the different playgrounds, get tickets for an up-close encounter, or see the zoo vets in action during their daily talks.
- Wellington Museum: Free entry, very engaging, and filled with plenty of history.
- The Pinnacles Hike: It takes about 2 hours to drive to this location, but totally worth it if you have time. This geological wonderland is filled with incredible towering hoodoos. You will feel like you’re on another planet!
I hope your family enjoys exploring Wellington as much as we did! Hopefully, this list will help as you plan fun things to do in Wellington New Zealand with kids!
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